Dr Fauzan Sahdi from the Research Centre for Construction on Peat and Problematic Soils (COPPS) recently embarked on a visit to the Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems (COFS) at The University of Western Australia (UWA), where he conducted cutting-edge centrifuge tests to study the dynamic interaction between cylindrical structures and seabed soils. This work is part of the ongoing UNIMAS-UWA International Matching Grant project.
Using a state-of-the-art geotechnical centrifuge, Dr Fauzan and his colleagues in UWA was able to simulate real-world conditions at a smaller scale, creating a more cost-effective and efficient way to explore the complex forces acting on long offshore cylindrical structures interacting with the seabed soil.
But that’s not all! Dr Fauzan is also developing an algorithm designed to unravel the complexities of how long cylindrical structures respond to dynamic, three-dimensional forces as they interact with the seabed soil. This algorithm will be key to improving our understanding of offshore systems at the seabed touchdown zone, spanning both traditional offshore energy and the growing renewable energy sectors, including dynamic power cable, span over buckle initiators, and flexible risers.
This project underscores COPPS’ commitment to advancing both onshore and offshore geotechnical engineering research that is directly relevant to the industry.
Prepared by Dr Fauzan Sahdi and Nor Azalina Rosli, UNIMAS